Method of and means for forming fitched or fitch work articles



L. LARSEN Sept. 1,1931.

METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR FORMING FITCHED OR FITCH WORK ARTICLES Filed Dec. 10 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 1, 1931. L. LA SEN I 1,821,554

METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR FORMING FITGHED OR FITCH WORK ARTICLES Filed Dec. 10. 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 1Q," Ii M n I 4 a; 1/ g gl i llllillllfihi q @WMQW \MQMWH 1 "W 11 15 I Q/ .N/Q/ w Q lnlfen'rar L. LARSEN Sept. 1, 1931.

METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR FORMING FITGHED OR FITCH WORK ARTICLES F iled Dec. 10, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 z. JH LIVWVVWLWF 3 MN 3 k m I? l, 1931. I LARs EN 1,821,554

METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR FORMING FITCHED 0R FITCH WORK ARTICLES Filed Dec. 10, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 "Imam ezd'wfaiwen mwyy.

Patented Sept. 1, 1931 NETED STATES PATENT OFFICE 'LEWIS LARSEN, F MENOMINEE, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO THEYWOODwWAKEFIELD COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR FO'RMING FITCHEID OR FITCH WORK ARTICLES Application filed December 10, 1928. Serial No. 325,099.

This invention relates to improvements in methods of and means for forming fitched or fitch work articles and it consists of the matters hereinafter described and more. particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The term fitch work as used herein refers to that fabric extensively employed in the furniture industry as the covering or body for the frames of many different articles as by way of example, chairs and the like. Such fitch work is what may be aptly termed a type of weaving allied in some respects to the weaving of natural reed or reed fibre fabric. Fitch work, however, is more open in character than reed or reed fibre fabric which is more closely woven and in some cases both kinds of weaving may be used in producing a single fabric where it 1s deslred that a part thereof be of open work and the other part closely woven to produce a contrast of appearance in different parts of the fabric.

The fitched or fitch work fabric with which my invention is more particularly concerned is composed of a plurality of lat erally spaced members, which may be either of reed, reed fibre or fibre having a wire core and which in workable length have sufficient rigidity to be self-supporting but may be bent when bending is necessary to carry out the desired design or form of fabric in tended to be produced.

Upon these members which for convenience will be called stakes certain strands, herein termed fitching strands are twisted over and under the desired stakes to hold the stakes together. The fitching strands ,which may be of a diameter greater orless than the stakes are of such character that they may be readily twisted about the stakes. hen the stakes strands are of fibre reed which is composed of a twisted paper, the paper while in strip at the same time provides for a variety of pleasing color effects.

Heretofor-e, in the manufacture of fitched and fitching or fitch work articles which include a frame, it has been the universal practice to fasten one end of all the stakes in spaced relation to the desired portion of the article frame and then work in the fitching strands each of which consisted of at least a pair of strand members. \Vhen but a single pair of strand members was used in the fitch, one

member was passed behind or under one stake and then over and in front of the next stake, the other strand member being passed over and in front of the first stake and behind or under the other, the members being twisted in this operation to cross each other between said stakes. However should a heavier itching be desired, more strand Y members of course were used.

During the laying in of the fitching strands, the stakes of course must be constantly shaped, positioned or aligned so that the finished fabric will conform to the shape of the frame. This work is difficult to perform because the fitcher has not only to manipulate the stakes with one hand, but also to hold them while laying in the fitch with the other'and this necessarily calls for a skilled artisan. Because the one hand is employed in manipulating and holding the stakes, the fitcher in laying in the fitching strand passes one strand member under the other, due to the natural position his other hand must occupy and this requires more hand movements on his part than if the strand members were passed over each other in twisting them between the stakes.

The operation of laying in the fitch strands and shaping the fabric upon the frame is article may be made in less time and at a lower cost.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a method and means which may be carried out and used by unskilled workers with an assurance of uniformity in the fabric made thereby.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide such a method and means as is practical for use in factory systems of making the fabric apart from but to conform to the frame and thereafter applying the finished fabric to the article frame to produce the finished article.

These objects of the invention, as well as others, together with the many advantages thereof will more fully appear as I proceed with my specification.

The invention consists generally in the steps and acts as well as the sequences thereof together with the means by which they are carried out, whereby the above mentioned objects and others as will hereinafter .appear are obtainable; and my invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings illustrative thereof and wherein Fig. l is a top plan view of a sectional templet by means of which the improved method may be advantageously carried out.

Fig. 2 is a perspective View showing a supporting bench for the templet, with the stake holding section thereof in position thereon, ready to receive the stakes some of which are illustrated as inserted therein.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a fragment of the stake holding section with pairs of stakes inserted therein.

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are similar views showin successive steps in the use of the sectionad templet for carrying out the improved method.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the entire templet with a completed fabric thereon ready for removal and application to the frame of an article of furniture or the like.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the fabric attached to the frame of an article of furniture such as a chair.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view through the templet as taken on the line 9-4) of Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is another sectional view through the templet as taken on the line 101O of Fig. 7.

Fig. 11 is a plan view on an enlarged scale of a fragment of the finished fabric and which will be more fully referred tovlater.

For the purposes of illustrating and describing the invention I have chosen as the article to be made, a chair, because such an article fairly represents one of the many which are extensively used and because a chair of this kind fairly illustrates the difiiculties encountered in the production of.

fitched or fitch work articles under the methods heretofore employed and also the ease and simplicity of producing the same under my improved method.

In Fig. 8 is illustrated a finished chair made in accordance with my invention and for the purpose of showing the more salient features of said invention, the seat cushion has been omitted. Such a chair includes a skeletonized frame 1 made of wood, which frame comprises a substantially rectangular, horizontally disposed seat frame having a front rail 2, a rear rail 3 and side rails 4 l joined together at the corners of the frame in any suitable manner, the two rear corners being rounded. At the frontcorners of the seat frame are the usual, substantially upright front legs 5-5 which extend above the plane of the seat frame and are bent somewhat laterally at their top ends as shown. At the rear rounded corners of the seat frame are the usual substantially upright and longer rear legs 66, each rear leg being connected to the diagonally opposite front leg by a bar 7, said bars crossing each other as shown. The top ends of the rear legs extend a distance above the like ends of the front legs and the top ends of all of said legs are connected together by a U shaped member 8. To add stability to the frame thus far described, the legs may be further connected to adjacent parts of the seat frame by angle braces 99. The chair frame thus described provides a relatively high back which diminishes in height toward the front of the frame.

In order better to understand the difficulties of attaching a fitched or fitch work fabric to such a frame in the method heretofore practiced, it is believed best to first briefly describe the same. Under such methods, the bottom ends of pairs of stakes were secured in any suitable manner to the side and rear members of the seat frame in spaced relation and extended upwardly therefrom in a somewhat irregular manner. The fitcher (or workman) having secured the stakes -to the seat frame as mentioned, would flex the right hand stakeof each pair in one direction and the left hand stake of each pair in the other direction so that said stakes would cross each other. At the desired points on the crossed stakes, he would begin at the front of the stakes on one side of the seat frame and lay in the fitching strand. In this operation the fitcher would hold a plurality of the crossed stakes with one hand and lay in the pair of strand members of the fitching strand by twisting the members about the stakes. In laying in the strand members, with the one hand employed in holding and positioning the stakes he would with the other hand twist that strand member. at the front of the stakes, under the strand member at the rear of the stakes as this was the most natural way to do according to position of the thumbiof the hand laying in said member. It is apparent that with the one hand shaping, spacing and otherwise manipulating the stakes and with the other hand employed with the itching strandsflitching was diflicult because of the many variable factors to contend with and called for skilled artisans to produce hand made fitch work articles of saleable character. After the last fitching strand was laid in place those portions of the stakes beyond the same were laid down and interwoven with each other to form the border or finishing edge for the fitch work. Thereafter the fabric was tacked in place to the top ends of the front'and rear legs. It is apparent that only artisans with long experience could produce the more complicated articles which required a neat shaping and forming of the fabric as it is built up, such artisans having gained by such experience a complete knowledge of the characteristics of the stakes and strands so that theyrcould make the necessary allowances therefor and could develop such a fine sense of proportions as would result in an article of symmetrical and pleasing design.

By means of my improved method and the preferred form of the apparatus illustrated by which it may be readily carried into effect, I have overcome the various problems confronting-the manufacture ofsuch fitch work articles and have reduced the makingof fitched articles to such ease and simplicity that creases the strength of the fabric because ofthe even distribution. of the tension.

Under my method and means instead of building up or weaving as it maybe aptly called, the fabric upon the article frame which is usually of an irregular shape and therefore poorly adapted for such weaving, I produce the fabric on a pattern, templet or form, independent of the frame for which it is intended and thereafter apply the fab ric to said frame.

In carrying out the invent-ion I provide a templet preferablymade of sectionshavin-g suitable means thereon which guide the workman in positioning the various stakes and laying in the fitching strands so that the fabric; produced will'fit the frame. However, itis pointed out that the templet need not be the same shape or contour as "the frame -to which the fabric is attached, but

may be, as here shown, substantially flat.

the fitch is accomplished byshaping the fabric tosuch curved portions, the character of the fabric permitting such manipulation.

In Figs. 1 and 7 I have illustrated a complete templet in its open or extended position and said templet preferably includes a stake holding section 10 and a plurality of stake guiding sections 11, 12, 13 and 14 respectively. These may be made of any desired material but I find wood well adapted for this purpose. The longitudinal edges of the stake holding section are curved and substantially parallel and the curved line of the top edge thereof is determined by the curve necessary to produce the top border or edge of the finishedfabric Said main section comprises a base board 15 of desired shape or outline having a pluralitiy of transversely extending, longitudinally spaced cleats 16 on one surface there of that'engage at the bottom against a shoulder strip 17 and form in effect upon. said baseboard, a plurality of spaced grooves 18 each of a width to receive a pair of stakes 1919. As is apparent from Fig. 1, the grooves 18 disposed at the midportion of said main section are substantially parallel while those near each end thereof converge inwardly. Upon the top surface of the cleats is fixed a cover plate or .boardQO of a width less than thatof the base board so as to'expose top and bottom end portions of the grooves and to close up the intermediate portions thereof On each end portion of the baseboard, beyond the endmost cleat is secured a spring linger 2121-, each aper tured near its free end as at 22, the purpose of which will presently appear.

The first stake guiding section 11 is so formed along its curved bottom edge as to fit or coincide with thetop edge of the baseboard of the stake holding section, while the top edge of said first stake guiding sec- 'tion is formed of a lesscurv-ature and tapers off toward "the ends so that said first stake guiding section is narrowerat its ends than Ill) it is at its mid portion. .In' laying out the cur-vatureor profile of the edges 'of said first stake guiding section, the profile or curvature ofrthe certain fitching strands to be laid uponsaid stakes iscarefully considered so that said edges correspond therewith. Along the bottom edge of said section 11 I'provide arow of guide pins 23 arranged in longitudinally spaced pairs, one pair registering with the top end of an associated groove 18 inthe main or stake holdingsece tion. Along the other or top edge of said first stake uidingsect-ion I provide a row of longitudinally spaced guide :pins24 there being substantially as many guide pins 24 as there are pairs of guide pins 23, r the. guide pins 24 nea'r the ends of'sa-id section being spaced further apart than they are at the midportionthereof. On the top surfaceof each end of the section 11 is fixed a plate with a pin 26 so disposed as to enter into the aperture 22 in a spring finger 21 when the section 11 is brought into proper edge to edge engagement with the base board 15 of the stake holding section 10. On the underside of each end of said section 11 is pivoted a latch plate 27 of a length greater than the width of said end, so that when said latch plate is swung into a position to xtend transversely of said end, the extremity of each latch plate will project under the end of the baseboard 15 and the other end will extend under the end of asecond stake guiding section as will soon appear. Thus said latch plates assist the spring fingers 21 in detachably securing the first stake guiding section to the main or stake holding section.

The second stake guiding section 12 is so formed along its bottom curved edge as to fit or coincide with the top edge of the first stake guiding section 11 while the top edge of said second stake guiding section is formed with a more shallow curvature than the bottom edge. Likewise the bottom edge of the third stake guiding section 13 fits the top edge of the second stake guiding section and the bottom edge of the fourth stake guiding section 1 fits the top edge of the third one. Along the top edge of each of said stake guiding sections 12, 13 and 14: is provided a row of guide pins 28, 29 and 30 respectively arranged in longitudinally spaced pairs, the pins of each pair being in themselves spaced that distance apart as to snugly receive between them two stakes in side by side relation. It is not believed necessary to describe in detail the shape of the curvature of the edges ofthe various stake guiding sectlons, further than to say that they are such as to coincide generally with the line or shape it is desired to give to the fitching strands and this shape of course isdependent upon the curvature desired in the fabric of the finished chair.

Preferably although not necessarily so, the various stake guiding sections are hingedly connected together so that in car- V rying out the method with the templet, the various sections may be brought into operative position in the plane of the preceding section when the laying in of the fitching strand along the top edge of said preceding section has been completed. Tothis end I provide three sets of hinges 31, 32 and 33 respectively connecting the mid portions of one section to that of'the adjacent section as best shown in Fig. 1. When a section has been swung into the plane of the preceding section it is of course, necessary to hold said section in that position and therefore I provide on the bottom side of each end of the sections 12 and 13, pivoted latch plates 34 and 34* respectively, which when in a positionextending substantially transversely of the associated section, project under the margins of adjacent sections as is best shown in Fig. 1.

From the above description it will be apparent that while the various stake guiding sections are hingedly connected together, they are as a result separable from and capable of being connected to the stake holding section.

In the use of the templet, it of course, is mounted upon a suitable support to make its use convenient for the operator. I find that a bench 35 such as is shown in Fig. 2 is well suited to the purpose. The bench includes an upwardly and rearwardly inclined top 36 and front and rear legs 37 and 38 respectively of such a height as is comfortable for the workman.

In the bench top is provided removable pins 39-39 against which the lower edge of the main or stake holding section 10 is engaged to hold said section in the desired position upon the bench top. For convenience the other or stake guiding sections may be placed in a leaning position against the rear legs, ready for attachment to the main section when necessary, as will soon appear.

lVith the stake holding section in place upon the support or bench, it is ready for the insertion of the stakes 19 in the various grooves 18. One end 19 of a pair of stakes, in side by side arrangement is inserted into each groove 18 from the top and then pushed downwardly therein, until the extremities of the end of each pair of stakes engage the shoulder strip 17. That this engagement has taken place may be determined by the operator glancing at the bottom part of each groove below the bottom edge of the cover plate 20 where all of said extremities are visible. The top ends of the stakes which are of a suitable length project of course a considerable distance beyond the top edge of said main or stake holding section.

lViththe stakes in this position the first fitching strand 40 is laid in place. As before stated said fitching strand comprises two strand members 40 40 which are sufficiently flexible that they may be twisted about the stake portions 19 just beyond the top edge of the stake holding section 10. In this twisting of the strand members that portion of one strand member 40 forwardly of one pair of stakes is twisted over those portions rearwardly of said pair of stakes and behind the next pair of stakes and so on. With the stakes thus securely held in position by the stake holding section, both hands of the operator are free to lay in the strand members and twist them as described, the twisting in the manner above mentioned being the most natural when both hands are free for laying in the strand members. My observation shows that there are less hand movements required to produce a fitch in this manner than when following the old practice heretofore described. 7

After the fitching strand which comprises two strand members has been laid in place, the strand is worked or pushed downwardly on the stake portions 19 into engagement with the top edge of the cover or board as shown in Fig. 6. If a double fitching strand is desired the operation of laying in the strand is repeated and the finished strand moved into engagement with the first.

Thereafter the first stake guiding section 11 is positioned with its bottom edge against the top edge of the stake holding section and when the openings 22 in the spring fingers 21 snap over the pins 26 on the ends of said first stake guiding section, the pairs of guide pins 23 along the bottom edge thereof line up or register with the top ends of the grooves 18 so that the stake portions of each pair of stakes may then be engaged between the guide pins of each pair'of pins. Thereafter the right hand stake of each pair is bent to the right against the right hand pin. of its associated pair of guide pins so that said stake may be engaged on or against the right hand side and somewhat under the desired pin 24 along the top edge of said first section which will give proper and desired angle to parts 19 of said stakes. The left hand stake of each pair is bent to the left against the left hand pin of its associated pair of guide pins 23 so that said stake may be engaged on or against the left hand side and somewhat under the desired pin 24 along the top edge of said first section as will give that angle to the parts 19 thereof which is the opposite to the like parts of the right hand stakes before mentioned.

The stake parts 19 19 will of course,

cross each other to produce open diamond effects and as here shown all of the left hand stakes are to the front of the right hand stakes. If desired, of course, the left hand stakes may be under the right hand stakes, the practice first described being followed because that has been the customary procedure under the old practice.

After the right and left hand stakes are criss-crossed as described, their natural tendency to return i to a substantially straight condition will hold them against the pins 24 after which a pair of fitching strands is laid or fitched in place along the top edge of the section 11 as a guide as indicated at 41. The manner of fitching said strands is the same as that before described and therefore need not be described in detail again.

The next'stake guiding section 12 is then swung up about the hinges 31 into the plane of the section 11 and the pivot plates 27,27 actuated to hold said section in said plane. Certain previously bent right hand stakes are engaged under the left hand pins of the proper pairs of pins 28 before mentioned along the top edge of said section and certain previously bent left hand stakes are engaged under the right hand pins of the proper pairs of pins 28. A double pair of strands is fitched in place as at 42 along the top edge of the section 12 as a guide and this double fitching is then pushed down along the stakes against said pairs of pins 28. From the above it will be noted that what were heretofore the right hand stakes are now the left hand stakes.

The third stake guiding section 13 is the swung up into the plane of the second stake guiding section about the hinges-32 and the pivoted plates 34 on the end of the section 12 are swung into a transverse position to hold said section 13 in'the plane of the section 12. The pins 29 along the top edge of the section 13 are disposed in pairs as before described and register or line up with the pairs of pins 28 on the section 12. The various pairs of stake parts 19. beyond the pins 28 of the sections 12 are placed between the pins of the registering pairs of pins 29 after which another double pair of fitching strands are fitched in place along the top edge of the section 13 as a guide as indicated at 43. After said strands have been fitched in place, they are moved down on the stake parts toward said pins 29.

It will be observed from Fig. 7 of the drawings that this provides an area in the fabric wherein said parts 19 of the stakes are again disposed substantially parallel and produces an open work effect in contrast" to that of the open diamond mesh be fore produced. V v

The fourth and last section '14 is then swung up about the hinges 33 into the plane of the section 13 and the plates 34* are then turned so as to hold said section 14 in that position. The desired left and right hand stakes are then bent to the desired angles and engaged between the predetermined pins of the pairs of guide pins 30 along the top edge of the section 14 so that said stakes criss cross each other as at 19 to form another band or area of open diamond mesh. A pair of strands 44 is then fitched in place along the top edge of the section 14as a guide and are then pushed down the. stakes toward the pins 30. The stakes are now all fitched together and those parallel portions of the pairs of stakes beyond the top edge of the section 14 are trimmed off a suit-able distance from the edge of said section to provide what may be termed selvage extensions 19 for securing 'the fabric to the proper parts of the article frame. In said selvage extensions 19 the positions of the stakes are the same as they are in the stake holding section 10, that is what were right and left hand stakes in said section are right and left hand stakes in said selvage extensions.

After the fabric has been thus far formed, the spring fingers 21 on the stake holding section 10 are sprung away from the pins 26 on the section 11 and the section 10 is then drawn away from the section 11, in a direction parallel with and'in the plane of the stake portions 19 until said section 10 is free from said stakes.

In the central portion of the section 12 of the templet near its top edge is a hole 45 through which a suitable pin or the like may be inserted to extend into the bench top 36 to provide a pivot about which the templet sections 11, 12, 13 and 14 may be turned end for end, to bring the stake parts 19 of the fabric beyond the bench top where said stake parts are in the position for turning down or plaiting in to form a border as at 416 in Fig. 11 in the usual manner. The formation of the fabric on the templet is then completed by twisting the ends of the fabric strands beyond the side margins of the fabric, together to keep them from ravelling.

The next operation is to strip the finished fabric from the templet parts 11 to 14 inclusive.

The templet parts are now ready for the forming of another fabric, the fabric just removed therefrom being ready for application to a chair frame.- The finished fabric which is of a width and height to substantially fit the chair frame above the legs, is placed within the extensions of the legs and the selvage extensions or stake parts 19 of the fabric are then tacked to the seat frame and the border 46 is tacked to the U shaped top art of the frame. In applying the fabric to the frame I preferably begin at the vertical mid portion which is lined up with themid portion of the frame and then work the fabric towards the ends and around toward the front of the chair. is of an open character it can be formed to the frame :that is by pulling upon the desired portions of the fabric it can be more accurately fitted to the frame so that it will conform to the curves of the various frame parts. The twisted ends of the fitching strands are turned back around the front leg extensions and are then tacked in place. Thereafter a braiding 47 is applied to each front leg extension to cover said fitching strand ends and then a braiding 48 is tacked to the seat frame to cover up the selvage extensions or stake parts 19 previously tacked thereto.

A suitable facing of any kind (not shown) is secured to the front rail of the seat frame and the chair is then ready to receive its As the fabric include such materials as natural reed and paper reed.

For some articles, templet forms or mechanical guides of different sizes, shapes and characters may be employed but my method will be found to be characterized by forming the fitched fabric in a manner convenient for the same and of such a contour as will sub stantially conform to the article frame and when necessary in further forming and reshaping portions of the fabric while apply ing it to the frame. Thus under this method, by providing the necessary templet, fitched articles of a great variety may be produced rapidly by unskilled workers at a relatively low cost.

Inasmuch as this disclosure will readily suggest to others skilled in the art to which this invention appertains, various methods and templets whereby the substantial objects of my invention can be attained, I do not wish to be limited to the specific stated manner of procedure nor to the precise steps, acts or stated sequences thereof, except only as may be necessary by limitations in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention 1. The method of forming a stake and strand fitched fabric which consists in providing guide means for the stakes, deflecting the stakes in substantially the plane of the finished fabric and engaging them with said guiding means which deflected stakes are so held thereby and in fitching in the strands upon desired portions of the deflected stakes while soheld.

2. The method of forming a stake and strand fitched fabric which consists in providing stake positioning means disposed along the general line desired for the fitching strands, deflecting the stakes in substantially the plane of the finished fabric and engaging them with said positioning means and fitching in strands upon said defiected stakes along said general lines.

3. The method of forming a stake and strand fitched fabric which consists in providing a templet with stake holding and guiding means thereon, arranging the stakes in desired relation in said holding means, and deflecting portions of said stakes in the plane of the finished fabric and guiding means and then engaging them with said fitching in strands upon said stakes while so held and guided.

4t. The method of forming a stake and .while so held and guided.

strand fitched fabric which consists in providing a templet with stake holding and guiding means thereon arranged along general lines desired for the fitching, arranging stakes in the desired relation in said holding means, and deflecting portions of said stakes in the plane of the finished fabric and engaging them with said guiding means and then fitching in strands upon said stakes 5. The method of forming strand fitched fabric which consists in providing a templet having a plurality of sets of stake guiding means thereon, arranging portions of the stakes in one of said sets of means which are held thereby, fitching in strands upon portions of said stakes along a general line as defined by said one of said sets of means, deflecting other portions of said stakes in substantially the plane of the finished fabric and engaging them with another set of said means so as to be held thereby and fitching in strands upon said other and deflected portions of said stakes along a general line as defined by said other set of means.

6. The method of forming a stake and strand fitched fabric which consists in providing a templet having a plurality of sets ofstake guiding means thereon, arranging portions of stakes in one of said sets of means which are held thereby, fitching in strands upon portions of the stakes adjacent said guiding means, deflecting other portions of said stakes in substantially the plane of the finished fabric and engaging them with another set of said means so as to be held thereby and fitching in strands upon said other and deflected portions of said stakes adjacent said last mentioned set of means.

7. The method of forming a stake and strand fitched fabric which consists in providing a templet having stake holding means and a set of stake guiding means, arranging portions of stakes in the holding means and fitching in strands upon other portions of the stakes adjacent said holding means, deflecting another portion of said stakes in substantially the plane of the finished fabric and engaging them with said stake guiding means and then fitching in strands upon said last mentioned deflected portions of the stakes adjacent said set of stake guiding means.

8. The method of forming a stake and strand fitched fabric which consists in providing a templet having sets of stake guiding devices disposed in rows extending in one direction upon said templet, arranging stakes upon the templet in a direction different from that of said rows of devices with portions of 'said stakes deflected in the. plane of the finished fabric and engaged with the devices of said rows and a stake and,

fitching in strands upon desired portions of the stakes along lines defined by saidrows of devices.

9; The method of forming a stake and strand fitched fabric which consists in providing a templet comprising a plurality of sections which include parts with which stakes may be engaged to be held in the desired arrangement, deflecting portions of the stakes in substantially the plane of the I finished fabric, engaging them with said parts in said sections and fitching in strands upon desired portions of the deflected stakes along the general lines defined bysaid parts of said sections.

10. The method of forming a stake and strand fitched fabric which consists in providing a templet comprising a plurality of sections adapted to be brought successively into the same plane and each section including parts with which stakes may be engaged to be held in the desired arrangement, deflecting portions of stakes in substantially the plane of the finished fabric and engaging them with said section parts parts with which stakes may be engaged to be held in the desired arrangement, positioning stakes with portions thereof in engagement with at least one of said templet sections, deflecting other portions of said stakes in substantially the plane of the finished fabric and engaging them with said parts, fitching in strands along a desired line upon said deflected stakes while they are so held, bringing another templet section into operative position and further deflecting other portions of said stakes in said plane of the fabric and engaging them with said parts thereon and then in fitching in another line of fitching upon the last mentioned deflected portions of said stakes.

12. The method of forming a stake and strand fitched fabric which consists in providing a templet comprising a plurality of sections adapted to be brought successively into the same plane and each section including parts with which stakes may be engaged o be held in the desired arrangement, deflecting portions of stakes in the plane of the finished fabric and engaging them with said section parts so as to be held thereb said sections are successively brought into said same plane and fitching in strands upon saidstakes along general lines defined by said section parts.

13. The method of forming a stake and iiu strand fitched fabric which consists in pro viding a templet comprising at least a stake holding section and a second section adapted to be brought into the same plane as that of said stake holding section, said second section having stake guiding parts thereon, engaging portions of the stakes in the stake holding section deflecting those portions of the stakes beyond the stake holding section in the plane of the finished fabric and en gagin them with the stake guiding parts on said seccnd section and fitching in a strand upon said stake portions beyond the holding section.

1%. The method of forming a stake and strand fitched fabric which consists in providing a templet comprising at least a stake holding section and a socono section adapted to be brought into operative relation with respect to stake holding section, said second section having stake guiding parts thereon, engaging portions of the stakes in the stake holding section, deflecting those portions of the stakes beyond the Stll-IG holding sections in the plane of the finished fabric and engaging them with the stake guiding parts on the second section and then fitching in a strand upon said stake portions beyond the holding section.

15. The method of forming a stake and strand fitchedfabric which consists in providing a templet comprising at least a stake holding section and a second section adapted to be brought into the same plane as that of said stake holding section, said second section having stake guiding parts thereon, engaging portions of the stakes in the stake holding section and deflecting those portions of the stakes beyond the holding section in the plane of the finished fabric and engaging them with the stake guiding parts on said second section and fitching in a strand upon said stake portions beyond the holding section along lines defined by said stake guiding parts on the second section.

16. The method of forming a stake and strand fitchel fabric which consists inproviding a templet comprising at least a stake holding section and a second section adapted to be brought into operative relation with respect to the stake holding section, said second section having stake guiding parts thereon, engaging portions of the stakes in said stake holding section and deflecting those portions of the stakes beyond the hold ing section in the plane of the finished fabric and engaging them with the stake guiding parts on said second section and fitching in a strand upon said stake portions beyond the holding section along general lines defined by the stake guiding parts on said second section.

17. The method of forminga stake and strand fitched fabric which consists in providing a templet con'iprising at least a stake holding section and a plurality of other and stake guiding sections adapted to be operatively connected to said stake holding sections and to be brought successively into the plane thereof, inserting stakes into said stake holding section, fitching in strands upon said stakes along a line defined by an edge of said stake holding section, bringing one of said stake guiding sections which have stake guiding parts thereon, into edgewise engagement with and into the plane of said stake holding section, deflecting parts of said stakes beyond said stake holding section in the plane of the finished fabric and engaging them with said stake guiding parts of the first stake guiding section, then fitching in strands upon said stakes along a line defined by said stake guiding parts and then likewise bringing the second of said other sections into engagement with the first and deflecting other parts of said stakes in a similar manner and engaging them with the stake guiding parts thereon, and then fitching in another strand upon said stakes along lines defined by said guiding parts on said. second section.

18. The method of forming a stake and strand fitched fabric which consists in providing a templet comprising at least a stake holding section and a plurality of other sections adapted to be operatively connected to said stake holding section and to be brought successively into the plane thereof, inserting stakes into said stake holding section, bringing one of said other sections which have stake guiding parts thereon, into edgewise engagement with and into the plane of said stake holding section, deflecting parts of said stakes beyond said stake holding section in the plane of the finished fabric and engaging them with said stake guiding parts of the first stake guiding section and then fitching in strands upon said stakes along a line defined by said stake guiding parts and then likewise bringing the second of said other sections into engagement with the first and deflecting other parts of said stakes in a similar manner and engaging them with the stake guiding parts thereon, fitching in another strand upon said stakes along lines defined by said guiding parts on said second section, stripping said stake holding section from the associated stake ends and turning in said stake ends to form a border for the fabric.

19. The method of forming astake anc strand fitched fabric which. consists in providing a templet comprising a stake end holding section and other sections having stake guiding parts thereon, inserting stake ends into said holding section, deflecting other portions of said stakes in the plane of the finished fabric and engaging them with the guiding parts of the other sections, fitching in strands upon the stakes along lines defined by said stake guiding'parts, stripping the stake holding section from said stake ends to expose the same and turning in said stake ends to form a border.

20. The method of forming a stake and strand fitched fabric which consists in providing a templet comprising a stake end holding section and a second section having stake guiding parts thereon, inserting stake ends into said holding section, deflecting other portions of said stakes in the plane of the finished fabric and engaging them with the guiding parts on said second section,

fitching in strands upon the stakes along a general line as defined by said stake guiding parts, stripping the holding section from the stake ends to expose the same and turning in the exposed stake ends to form a border.

21. The method of forming a stake and strand fitched fabric which consists in providing a templet comprising stake end holding section and a second section having stake guiding parts thereon, inserting stake ends into said stake holding section, deflecting other portions of the stakes in the plane of the finished fabric and engaging them with the guiding parts of said second section, fitching in strands upon the stakes along desired lines, stripping the holding section from the stake ends to expose the same and then manipulating the exposed stake ends to finish off the fabric.

22. The method of forming a stake and strand fitched fabric which consists in pro- Viding a templet having means at one end for holding stake ends and means at the other end for guiding the disposition of other portions of the stakes, inserting the ends of stakes in said first mentioned means and deflecting other portions of the stalres the desired guided relation, fitching in strands upon said other portions of the stakes along desired lines, removing said first mentioned means from the stake ends to expose the same, reversing the position of the remaining parts of the templet, end for end and then manipulating the exposed stake ends to finish the fabric.

23. The method of forming a stake and strand fitched fabric which consists in providing means forholding and guiding stakes, deflecting portions of the stakes in the plane of the fabric and engaging them with said guiding means which holds them in the desired relation thereon, fitching in a strand comprising strand members, by twisting that strand member disposed to the front of one stake over the top portion of and about the other strand member disposed to the rear of said stake.

24. The method of making a stake and consists in deflecting stakes in the plane of the finished fabric to dispose them in the desired relation in accordance with guiding means provided therefor on the. templet, fitching in strands upon said stakes along general lines determined. by said means on said templet and leaving portions of said stakes extending beyond the last general line of fitching and then turning in said extendingstake portions to form a border after removing the fabric from the templet.

.25. A templet for a stake and strand fitched fabric comprising a stake holding section and at least one stake guiding section, said sectionsbeing adapted tobe operatively connected together, said stake guiding section having parts to be engaged by portions of the stakes beyond the holding section, whereby said stake portions may be disposed in the plane of the finished fabric to be disposed and held in desired relation for the fitching in of a fitching strand.

26. A templet for a stake and strand fitched fabric comprising a stake holding section and a plurality of stake guiding sections, said stake holding section being separable froin the. guiding sections which are hingedly connected together. i

27. A templet for making a stake and strand fitched fabric comprising a plurality of sections, stake guiding means on said sections for positioning and holding stakes in the desired relation, said sections being adapted to be brought successively into operative position whereby portions of fitched fabric may be formed inconjunction with one section and another portion ofthe fabric may be formed in conjunction with another section.

28. A templet for making a stake and strand fitched fabric comprising a plurality of sections, stake guiding means on said sections for holding the stakes in desired relation and disposed along general lines de sired for'the fitching in the fabric, said sections beingyadapted to be brought successi'vely' .int'o operative position whereby portions of fitched fabricmay be formed in conjunction with one section and another portion of. the fabric may be formed in conjunction with another section.

29. The method of forming a stake and strand fitched fabric which consists. in arranging a' plurality .of stakes in desired spaced relation, upon a fiat templet defining the outline of the fabric to be made and arranged to hold said stakes atone end in said relation, deflecting a'portion of said stakes in the plane of the finished fabric while so held upon and by the templet and then fitching in a strand upon the stakes while so deflected.

30. The method of forming a stake and strand fitched fabric which consists in hold- 35 viding a plurality of stakes arranged in ing stakes at one end upon a teinplet defining the outline ofthe fabric to be made so that they are disposed in the desired spaced relation, deflecting some stakes in one direction and other stakes in the other direction, in the plane of the finished fabric so that said stakes cross each other, engaging said crossed stakes with parts on said teinplet so that they are held in said crossed relation 1 thereby and then fitching in a strand along a line substantially parallel with tne line formed by the crossing of the stakes in accordance with said parts of the templet with which they are engaged.

31. The method of forming a stake and strand fitched fabric which consists in pro- Viding a plurality of stakes arranged in spaced sets, upon a templet defining the outline of the fabric to be made and-arranged go to hold the stakes of all of said sets atone end in spaced relation, deflecting one stake of all the sets in one direction in the plane of the finished fabric, deflecting the other stake of all the sets in the other direction in said plane so that the stakes cross each other, engaging said crossed stakes with parts on said templet so that they are held in cross relation and then itching in a strand upon said crossed stakes to hold them to- 0 gether in said crossed relation in accordance with said parts of the teinplet with which they are engaged.

32. The method of forming a stake and strand fitched fabric which consists in prospaced sets, upon a teinplet defining the outline of the fabric to be made and arranged to hold the stakes of all of said sets at one end in spaced relation, fitching in strands ;40 upon said sets of stakes along a line defined by a part of said templet, deflecting one stake of all the sets in one direction in the plane of the finished fabric, deflecting the other stakes of all the sets in the other di- 45 rection in said plane so that said stakes v cross each other, engaging said stakes with other parts of said templet so that they are held in crossed relation and then fitching in a second strand upon said crossed stakes to 50 hold them together in said crossed relation. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, this 5th day of Dec., 1928.

' LEWIS LARSEN. 

